Outdoor Wood-Burning Boiler

Abstract

An outdoor wood-burning boiler is provided that includes a wood-burning enclosure, a wood support structure, and an air supply system configured for supplying air to wood that is supported by the wood support structure. The air supply system includes conduits for carrying a flow of air. At least one conduit can extend through a sidewall of the enclosure such that an end of the conduit is located outside of the enclosure. The end can include a re-closable closure. The re-closable closure can be configured to be opened from outside of the enclosure and provide access to the interior of the conduit so the conduit can be cleaned. The end and the re-closable closure can instead be located inside the enclosure and accessible through an access panel. An air supply conduit system is also provided that can be installed after-market or as original equipment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to outdoor wood-burning boilers and methods of cleaning the same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Outdoor wood-burning boilers typically include air supply tubes that carry air from a fan or pump into the interior of the wood-burning enclosure. When there is no need for air to be pumped into the boiler, for example, when the temperature of water to be heated by the boiler is sufficiently high, exhaust smoke from the burning wood seeps into the air supply tubes and fouls them. The smoke and other unburned combustion products, including creosote, can coat the insides of the air supply tubes, reducing the efficiency of the boiler and posing an inner-tube fire risk. Cleaning the air supply tubes requires ceasing operation of the boiler, cooling the boiler, and disassembly of the boiler. A need exists for an outdoor wood-burning boiler that includes an air supply system that can be easily cleaned without the need to stop operation...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a wood-burning boiler that has a system for supplying air to the burning wood. The air supply system includes conduits that carry air and can be accessed through a re-closable closure. The system can have multiple conduits that can be accessed from a single closure. The closure can be located inside or outside of the boiler enclosure, and can be opened or removed. The air supply conduit system can be installed as original equipment or an after-market feature. The technical effects of this patent include improving the speed of combustion, facilitating ignition, and allowing the boiler to burn a variety of combustible materials.

Problems solved by technology

When there is no need for air to be pumped into the boiler, for example, when the temperature of water to be heated by the boiler is sufficiently high, exhaust smoke from the burning wood seeps into the air supply tubes and fouls them.

The smoke and other unburned combustion products, including creosote, can coat the insides of the air supply tubes, reducing the efficiency of the boiler and posing an inner-tube fire risk.

Images